Today’s top news: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon

#Democratic Republic of the Congo

OCHA leads visit to strengthen Ebola response

As the Ebola outbreak continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is coordinating the visit of the UN and its humanitarian partners to the area of Nia-Nia, in Ituri Province, where recent attacks disrupted services at an Ebola treatment centre, as well as other humanitarian operations to respond to the outbreak.

The team is engaging with local authorities, community leaders and other humanitarian partners to strengthen community acceptance in support of the Ebola response, helping restore access to health services and ensure that life-saving assistance reaches affected communities.

As of today, national authorities have reported more than 3,500 confirmed cases, including over 1,550 deaths, with the rising numbers of cases and deaths straining response capacities.

The outbreak is unfolding amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in the country. Nearly 270,000 people are living in displacement sites across Ituri Province after fleeing armed violence, creating conditions that increase the risk of the disease spreading. The confirmation of Ebola cases in displacement sites highlights the urgent need to strengthen surveillance, early detection and case follow-up.

The UN and its humanitarian partners are scaling up in support of the Government-led response. At the Kigonze displacement site, International Medical Corps (IMC) – with support from the United States Government – has established an Ebola transit centre to facilitate the early identification of suspected cases and the referral of confirmed patients to Ebola treatment centres.

On Monday, IMC is set to open the country’s largest Ebola treatment centre, with a capacity of 100 beds, significantly expanding treatment capacity in Ituri. However, OCHA stresses that additional support for the response is urgently needed to strengthen health services, disease surveillance, and the protection of displaced communities.* 

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with urgent support.

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

West Bank: Palestinians face worsening protection crisis

OCHA warns that Palestinians in the West Bank are facing a protracted and worsening protection crisis. OCHA stresses that communities must be protected, and perpetrators must be held to account.

Since the beginning of 2026, 76 Palestinians across the West Bank have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers, or died of injuries sustained during incidents involving Israeli forces or settlers. Three Israelis, including two members of the Israeli forces, have been killed by Palestinians in the West Bank during the same time period.

More than 1,600 Palestinians have been injured across the West Bank so far in 2026. Israeli settlers caused 46 per cent of these injuries, with the remainder caused by Israeli forces. Twenty-four Israelis, including 20 settlers and two soldiers, have been injured this year.

In July, more than 275 Palestinians – half of them children – have been newly displaced due to home demolitions in the West Bank, the highest monthly toll since April 2025.

Taken together – demolitions, settler violence and related access restrictions have displaced an average of 17 people, including eight children, every day so far in 2026 – double the daily average recorded over the preceding three years.

Gaza: underfunding, access restrictions constrain aid response

Violence continues in the Gaza Strip, where most people remain displaced in harsh conditions.

However, the humanitarian community’s ability to respond to people’s immense needs is constrained by several challenges, including Israeli access restrictions into and within the Strip, as well as funding shortfalls. This year’s Flash Appeal for the Occupied Palestinian Territory is less than 38 per cent funded, with just over US$1.5 billion received to date of the more than $4 billion required.

Meanwhile, attempts by the de facto authorities to inspect humanitarian warehouses for alleged smuggled items continue, although at a slower pace compared with previous periods. Between 6 and 26 July, the UN recorded eight cases where individuals identifying themselves as agents of the de facto authorities searched humanitarian warehouses, causing disruptions to aid operations. No alleged contraband was found. The inviolability of United Nations premises must be respected.

#Lebanon

Infrastructure damage strains access to safe drinking water

As hostilities in Lebanon continue, OCHA is concerned by the humanitarian impact of damage caused by conflict to water systems and other critical civilian infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

A preliminary assessment by the South Lebanon Water Establishment found that damage to water systems in South and Nabatieh governorates has disrupted access to safe drinking water for more than 700,000 people.

Damage to reservoirs, pumping stations, boreholes and other facilities – combined with contamination from explosive remnants and other hazardous substances – is increasing public health risks and affecting agriculture and livelihoods.

Across the country, more than 821,000 people having returned to their communities, but some 360,000 people remain displaced, including some 27,000 people living in collective shelters.

OCHA stresses that returning home does not mean people’s humanitarian needs have ended. Continued investment in humanitarian assistance and early recovery is essential to restore basic services, support livelihoods, and help communities recover safely and with dignity.